From quaint log cabins to floating mansions, the world of architecture is always thriving and evolving. It’s nonsense, BUT boring. The scope of today’s architectural structures is limitless, and it’s evident in the arsenal of constructions we featured on YD in September. From a small prefab house that is a smart mobile unit to an all black house built for twin sisters – we were thrilled with the influx and variety of designs we were able to see and present to you! And, we’ve curated the best of the lot for you. These fascinating designs will challenge what you believe to be the limits and norms of modern architecture, not only expanding your view of it, but also providing you with massive inspiration. Enjoy.
1. Coodo
A few years ago, German entrepreneur Mark Dare Schmiedel got tired of the chaos of Berlin and decided to move to the countryside, building his own quaint loft along the banks of the River Spree. The peace, calm and zen that followed led him to wonder if it would be possible to create a similar, but mobile, form of home that could offer the same sanctuary to others. In his quest for such a retreat, he came across a mobile home concept designed by a group of Slovenian architects called “Coodo”. Schmiedel then secured the design rights to the concept, through his company LTG (Lofts to Go) and began production of the units. Modular homes aim to bring you closer to nature, in a space away from the crowds, where you can truly enjoy the beauty of a moment.
Why is this remarkable?
It features a curved, minimal steel frame with rounded edges and stunning floor-to-ceiling glass walls. The beautiful glass walls allow a generous stream of sunlight to enter the house. Whether on city skylines, beaches, mountains or along a river, the Coodo can be easily set up almost anywhere.
What we like
- Integrated use of smart home technology
- Compliance with Passive House standards
What we don’t like
- With a focus on natural settings, we wish there was a way to enclose open patio space to close off when you’re away from home.
2. Twin sisters
Iranian architect Milad Eshtiyaghi is known for his eccentric yet impressive structures. His designs are far from ordinary and will leave you wondering how he came up with such an idea! One of these fascinating structures that I recently came across was the “Twin Sisters”. Located in Mārupe, Latvia, the house was inspired by twin sisters, literally living up to its name.
Why is this remarkable?
The clients were twin sisters, who approached Eshtiyaghi to create an amplified house with two units for them. They wanted one unit to be placed upstairs, while the lower unit would be placed downstairs. Eshtiyaghi decided to meet the customer’s requirements in its own unique and interesting way! He wanted to build a house that, while meeting their needs, also represents the fact that twin sisters reside there.
What we like
- The structures are separated down the middle by a courtyard, with a tree placed in the center
- The climatic conditions of Latvia also influenced the sloping shape
What we don’t like
3. The Fusion House
Designed by Satoshi Saito of architectural design firm SAI, the Melt House was the result of a young family asking him to build a home where they could “feel green.” Saito wanted to build, “A house that feels green is not just a house where you can see green from anywhere, but a house where residents actively use outdoor space and grow with green.”
Why is this remarkable?
With a frontage of 5.6m and a depth of 23.7m, the Melt House is nestled on a narrow site at the foot of a mountain in a residential area of Osaka. The main attraction of this house is its centerpiece – which is basically a dry garden that acts as a multifunctional room right in the middle of the house.
What we like
- Has a nice indoor-outdoor connection
- Lots of natural light and ventilation in the house
What we don’t like
4. Atri
Designed by a company called Naturvillan, Atri is a newly built A-frame villa located on the shores of Lake Vänern. The autonomous, climate-smart home is like a sustainable greenhouse in the middle of the mountains! It offers breathtaking views of the lake, as well as the surrounding majestic trees and natural terrain with rock slabs.
Why is this remarkable?
It is A-shaped with a stable base directly on the mountain and has a continuous axis so you can see through the whole house in one view. When you look up, the house blends in with the trees and blends into the natural landscape.
What we like
- Autonomous and sustainable
- Climate-smart
What we don’t like
5. Container Home
Located on a sprawling 27-acre private lot known as Desert Rose Ranch, this Airbnb shipping container sits just between Fredericksburg and Austin on the Texas Wine Trail. It comes with its own bedroom, bathroom, kitchenette, and perhaps my favorite part – a rooftop terrace with patio furniture, a hot tub, and even a hammock!
Why is this remarkable?
The container house follows Bob’s Containers “Porter model,” which uses a standard 40-foot container and starts at $149,250. The transformation of this particular Airbnb saw the addition of a wide garage-style door to the front that lets in ample amounts of natural light as well as a fully decorated house inside with all the bells and whistles. However, the house’s piece de resistance is its terrace, accessible by a spiral staircase on the side.
What we like
- The cabin sits on a fairly large empty lot, giving you nothing but raw nature from all sides
What we don’t like
- May not be suitable for large families
6.Seapods
I think you can now officially say goodbye to yachts and houses facing the sea, because Ocean Builders is preparing something better than the two combined! The Panamanian company has designed “the first eco-repairing floating houses in the world”. Created by Dutch architect Koen Olthuis, these luxurious homes will come in three stunning designs – SeaPod, GreenPod and EcoPod.
Why is this remarkable?
These water abodes are the perfect culmination of quality craftsmanship and green technology, giving you a comfortable and long-lasting experience on the seas. The SeaPod is quite suitable for aquatic life, while the GreenPod is designed for land and EcoPod is the eco-friendly option.
What we like
- Designed to solve the problem of lack of space in popular beach destinations
What we don’t like
- It’s still a concept!
7. CABN.CO
Today, more and more people are turning to eco-friendly and energy-efficient homes. Words like net zero, prefab and passive house standard are thrown around like confetti while describing their dream home. At a time when sustainable architecture is flourishing more than ever, CABN.CO by Jackson Wyatt is a very welcome upcoming project. Manufactured homes have to travel after being built by road – therefore the fittings and insulation have to be more durable than those we build on site. As a result, the sealing and heat trapping provided by these houses is better, which reduces energy consumption in colder climates.
Why is this remarkable?
CABN.CO is on a mission to build energy-efficient and smart homes that can be placed in unique and diverse locations all over the world. These versatile cabins can accommodate you almost anywhere in the world, whether in town or on a remote island in the Bahamas! These cabins focus heavily on sun protection and roof overhangs.
What we like
- Low consumption
- Equipped with smart technology
What we don’t like
8. ArkHaus
ArkHaus is a multi-storey livable luxury yacht that will float in Miami’s Biscayne Bay. It is the first solar-powered floating mansion with solar awnings combined with electric propulsion and also has a rainwater harvesting system to make it a sustainable 4,350 square foot yacht.
Why is this remarkable?
The ArkHaus really does appear to float on water, but it actually has four hydraulic spuds that lift it out of the water so it’s always stable and isn’t impacted by the waves as much. It also has smart monitoring and maneuvering controls for easier navigation in the waters and this cruise is quite quiet due to electric propulsion. The architecture of the yacht itself speaks of comfort, luxury and convenience.
What we like
- Has a saltwater pool in case you’d rather swim there than in the bay
What we don’t like
9. The Nokken Hut
Called Nokken Cabin, these pre-made cabins can be purchased by anyone, but the design duo have bigger plans for them. They want groups of them to be placed in beautiful, remote locations to create “landscape hotels,” which can provide a luxurious glamping experience. You would be able to connect with nature and relax, but in a cozy and comfortable space – without having to make it fundamentally rough.
Why is this remarkable?
The Nokken cabin was created with the intention of being expanded and needed to be a fairly flexible structure. It can be used as travel accommodation, work space, commercial element, spa, restaurant or even as a simple home.
What we like
- A beautiful bay window in front of the bed offers a surreal view of the landscape.
What we don’t like
- Although we love the minimal black structure, it would be great if there was an optional open space/terrace to better appreciate the surroundings
10. Lushna Cabins
Slovenian company Lushna builds tiny triangular cabins that work as the perfect natural retreat while giving you the comfort and shelter of a modern cabin. These micro cabins were designed to create the warmth of old-fashioned camping trips without compromising on comfort and must-have necessities.
Why is this remarkable?
They literally function like rooms in nature, with an impressive glass wall opening that allows plenty of sunlight to stream in throughout the day, making the cabin quite open and spacious. Movable beds and blinds provide flexibility and privacy. They are constructed from durable solid pine or larch wood.
What we like
- The cabins are fabricated off-site and have concrete-free foundations, so transporting them from place to place is extremely easy.
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